Windows 10: replacing windows 10 after major hardware changes

I will be replacing the harddrive, memory cards, and motherbroad. Malicious malware completely infected and crashed the machine. It had windows 8, but was upgraded to windows 10. I will need new BIOS, and OS. I was told, with the correct information, from the crashed device I can get a replacement windows 10, if this is possible, what information is needed, and how do I start that process? The device will not boot up, but I did copy as much information as I could find on the machine, before it crashed completely, fearing that was going to happen, and need replacing. This laptop is just the first of five devices that had the same fate, depending on the outcome on this one will determine if rebuilding any of the others is worthwhile. Any help or direction is greatly appreciated.

:)

 

Recently installed a new motherboard, now having troubles activating Windows 10.

Hi Peter,

To activate your Windows 10 after a major hardware change, we suggest that you check and follow the steps from the following links:

• Re-Activating Windows 10 after major hardware replacement (Thread).
• Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.

We would appreciate it if you could get back to us and provide us your feedback.

 

Activating Windows 10 after a major hardware change.

I recently made a major upgrade to my computer that involved replacing the CPU, motherboard, and memory, and to make sure that no old drivers messed up the works, I performed a Reset install (chose to keep files). Now the machine was previously a Windows
7 Pro machine that was upgraded to 10 Pro in the free upgrade program several years back. This means the activation is tied to my Microsoft account and all I have to do is make sure I'm logged into the machine to activate it. However, I'm being asked to
activate Windows, and when I follow the instructions to activate after a major hardware change (go to Settings, Activation, Troubleshoot, select "I changed hardware on this device recently," select the device from the list, and click Activate), I get a message
that says, "we can't reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later." Is there anything else I can try, or do I have to buy a new licence?

 

Unable to activate Windows after hardware change

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Usually the error code 0xC004F213 comes when there is a hardware change done on the computer (like Motherboard or Hard drive). The Windows license is associated with the device hardware. If there is any significant hardware changes, such as replacing
motherboard or hard drive, Windows won’t be able to recognize the license.

I suggest you to try the troubleshooting steps from the article
Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change and see if Windows gets activated.

If you are using an OEM computer that came with Windows 7, and the motherboard has not been changed, then you can follow the steps to retrieve the product key that came with your OEM computer. To retrieve the product key follow the steps mentioned
below:

1. Type Command prompt in the search bar, that is on the taskbar.
   
2. Right click on Command prompt icon and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Type the command and press on Enter: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
   
4. You will find the product key.
   

Hope it helps.

Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator